Police Hand Out Fliers Instead Of Tickets

Sioux Falls Police Officers hit the streets Tuesday, talking with parents outside area schools. But it wasn't a ticket they were handing out.

Resource Officer Curt Daughters was busy handing out fliers outside of Laura Wilder Elementary School. Each flier has a list of pedestrian safety tips for parents who will be walking or driving their children to school each day.

"Now the kids are getting back, and we need to be more aware of our surroundings, especially when school is starting up again," Daughters said.

The flier is a joint effort between the Sioux Falls Police and P.A.T.H., the Pedestrians Avoiding Traffic Hazards committee.

It includes things to avoid in school zones like double parking and parking in drop-off zones. And it also reminds parents to teach their kids how to navigate crosswalks and look out for potentially dangerous drivers.

"We don't want our parents dropping children off across the street and having the children run across the street. Especially if they're not going to be holding their hand at that same time," Daughters said.

"You got people driving by here that drive by at 20-25 miles an hour. It's always kind of a concern," parent Darin Corcoran said.

Daughters says police will continue to patrol the school zones, but they do ask parents to play a bigger part in the safety of their own children and others.

"We almost had an accident here this morning, where a parent pulled out from the curb when there was another car driving down the street. We need to be more aware of our surroundings. Especially when school is started. Especially when there's kids all over the place. That's important," Daughters said.

The flier also reminds parents to dress their children for the weather to ensure they will be prepared, just in case there is a delay in picking them up.